What Penn State's James Franklin said during his weekly press conference

After opening the 2020 season with a heartbreaking, and controversial double-overtime loss to Indiana, the Nittany Lions have failed to tally in the win column and currently own a disappointing 0-4 record. They are the only team in the Big Ten without a victory.

After losing to Nebraska, 30-23 last Saturday, Penn State is now 3-6 over their last nine games.

The outlook doesn’t look any better, as the Iowa Hawkeyes come into College Station riding a two-game winning streak. If Penn State doesn’t best the Hawkeyes this Saturday, it will be the first time in the program’s 134 seasons to open a season with five losses, and no wins.

Head coach James Franklin has quarterback issues to address, as well as a host of other problems to address. He discussed this week’s plans in his weekly press conference on Tuesday.

James Franklin still in his opening statement: "Will Levis came in and did some good things and gave us a spark."

Transitions to talking about Iowa without any further mention of the QBs. So, we'll ask who his QB is this week.

— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 17, 2020

Has PSU settled on a starting QB?

Franklin: "We have not made that decision or announced that decision yet. Obviously we had some conversations about it this weekend with the coaching staff and with Sean and Will."

Then says Levis has "earned" being part of this conversation.

— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 17, 2020

Sounds to me more like PSU doesn't want to say Will Levis is the QB for fear somehow Iowa will then gain an advantage. Franklin mentions some teams don't even release a depth chart so this sounds more like gamesmanship to me than anything else.

— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 17, 2020

PSU won't announce starters along the o-line, Franklin says, but said RT Caedan Wallace, who made his first career start did some good things. Same with Will Fries at RG.
"I could see (Wallace) continue to grow as long as he continues to develop the way we think he will."

— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 17, 2020

James Franklin mentions PSU has had 39 false positives this season, meaning 39 people have missed a practice, he says. He believes it's the highest mark in the conference and they're trying to figure out why.

— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 17, 2020

Franklin said usually PSU gets results from re-tests about midway through practice. Tests are driven nearly 2 hrs away. "It can be an emotional rollercoaster through the week. You have staff members going through it then other people, GAs, analysts have to step into that role."

— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 17, 2020

Franklin said usually PSU gets results from re-tests about midway through practice. Tests are driven nearly 2 hrs away. "It can be an emotional rollercoaster through the week. You have staff members going through it then other people, GAs, analysts have to step into that role."

— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 17, 2020

Franklin on Nebraska: "The story of the game was turnovers in the first half. That's been a similar challenge that we've had this year."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2020

Franklin: "I thought we battled like crazy in the second half… Defense gave up three points and 96 yards total in the second half."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2020

Franklin on Iowa: "Obviously Kirk Ferentz is the vet in the Big Ten…They do a great job. They play hard, they play sound, they play fundamental football."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2020

Franklin on early defensive struggles: "Over six years, we typically haven't been great on opening drives… Usually you're gonna get a scripted set of plays and formations…Typically we've been able to settle down."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2020

Franklin: "More than anything it's tackling and being able to adjust to new things we're seeing in games."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2020

Franklin on Devyn Ford: "I thought last week Devyn and the two young backs did some really good things…I see Devyn growing. I thought we ran the ball last week as good as we've run it this year."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2020

Franklin on Levis' Nebraska performance: "I think one of the areas that he would admit he needs to get better on is his touch. Take a little octane off the pass and put our guy in a position to make a play."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2020

"He played hard and played with passion and did some good things. We just gotta make a few more throws," Franklin added.

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2020

Franklin: "I don't think I've seen a year like this in the Big Ten since I've been here."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2020

Franklin: "I have people that I call and people that reach out to me. Which is nice. I'm trying to be there for the players, the coaching staff, and help us navigate these times that none of us have been through before."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2020

"I also try to remind myself every single day how blessed and fortunate I am every day. I think about everything Journey Brown has been through this year," Franklin added.

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2020

Franklin: "I believe good will come from this. For my program, for our players… It doesn't feel like it right now, but I'm gonna use this as an opportunity to grow."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2020

Franklin: "At the end of the day you have to do whatever you have to do to give your team the best chance to win, whatever that may look like…I think that's some of what you have seen in the second halves, of changing our style of play to solve some our issues from the first."

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 17, 2020